Sexten (Sesto) is a mountain village in South Tyrol, wedged between the Sexten Dolomites and the Carnic Alps. It lies in Sextental (Val di Sesto), a side valley of Hochpustertal (Alta Pusteria), stretching from Innichen (San Candido) to Kreuzbergpass (Passo Monte Croce di Comelico).
For the active traveler, Sexten is a dream destination for hiking, via ferrata climbing, biking, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, and snowshoeing and winter hiking in winter. Blessed with dramatic alpine scenery, a network of extraordinary trails and huts, and the excellent 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort, no trip to the Dolomites is complete without visiting Sexten.
Where to stay in Sexten largely depends on when you’re traveling, your mode of transit, and what you’d like to experience. Below, I’ve summarized the best places to stay in Sexten, based on insights gathered from multiple summer, autumn, and winter trips over the years.
Best Accommodations in Sexten
- Budget-Friendly Stays: Gesenhof, Villgraterhof, and B&B Grüne Laterne
- 3-Star Hotels: Hotel Gruber, Hotel Schönblick, abd Hotel Royal
- 4-Star Hotels: Alpenwellnesshotel St. Veit, Bad Moos Dolomites Spa Resort, Hotel Dolomitenhof, Berghotel Sexten, and Hotel Alpinblick
- 5-star Hotels: Hotel Monika – Adults Only
- Self-Catering Accommodation: Villa Rainer, Im Wiesengrund Apartments, Gamz Villa, Aparthotel Gamz, and Ariane’s Guesthouse
- Bungalows and Chalets: Caravan Park Sexten, Alpenchalets Mair, and Stabinger Hof
If you are vegan, or have a gluten or lactose intolerance, Alpenwellnesshotel St. Veit is the best place to stay. Just let them know in advance.
The Hamlets of Sexten
Sexten is made-up of 7 hamlets: Waldheim, Moos, St. Veit, Schmieden, Mitterberg, Außerberg, and Kiniger. If you’re driving through the valley for the first time, it’s unlikely that you’ll notice that you’re passing through different hamlets.
Most accommodations are concentrated in the valley in Schmieden, St. Veit, Waldheim, and Moos. St. Veit is considered the center of Sexten, though there’s no signage to indicate it.
The mountainside hamlets of Mitterberg, Außerberg, and Kiniger are made-up of scattered farmsteads. These higher hamlets offer budget-friendly accommodations with sweeping views of the Sexten Dolomites like Reidenhof (apartments) and Panorama (3-star hotel). However, staying in these mountainside accommodations offers less convenience, since you have to drive up a narrow, winding mountain road to reach them.
There are also two fabulous accommodations in Fischleintal/Val Fiscalina, a side valley of Sexten: Bad Moos and Hotel Dolomitenhof.
If you’re traveling without a car, it’s best to seek out accommodation in Waldheim, Moos, or St. Veit near the bus stops: Hotel Zur Post Sexten (4-star aparthotel in St. Veit/Sexten), Hotel Strobl (3-star hotel in St. Veit/Sexten), Aparthotel Gamz (4-star aparthotel in Waldheim), Hotel Alpenblick (4-star-superior in Moos), Hotel Royal (3-star hotel in Moos), Residence Königswarte (aparthotel in Moos), Paramount Alma Suites Sexten (aparthotel in Moos), Bad Moos Dolomites Spa Resort (4-star hotel in Fischleintal), or Hotel Dolomitenhof (4-star hotel in Fischleintal).
Where to Stay in Sexten in Winter
Alpine Skiing
Sexten is the main ski village in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort, which is part of the Dolomiti Superski network. I recommend choosing an accommodation that is either ski-in ski-out, or close to the Helmjet valley station. These are the top ski hotels in Sexten, chosen for their proximity to the slopes and ski-focused facilities.
Alpenwellness Hotel St. Veit is a 4-star ski-in ski-out hotel with direct access to the Helmjet ski lift. All guests are assigned a personal ski locker, each equipped with heated boot racks. Guests can sign up for ski lessons with the in-house ski instructor. We loved gearing up in the ski locker room and skiing out of the hotel to the valley station. Finding the way back to the hotel is a bit tricker, but possible. At the end of the day, skiers can ride the shuttle bus back to the hotel at 3 pm or 4 pm. Don’t miss out on the in-house spa treatments (massages are excellent)! Read our Alpenwellness Hotel St. Veit Review.
Aparthotel Gamz is an alpine modern aparthotel situated across the street from the Helmjet ski lift. Breakfast is included. Their beautiful villa apartments, located in St. Veit, offer ski-in ski-out access to Helmjet.
Bad Moos is a ski-in ski-out hotel at the Rotwand lift station in Val Fiscalina.This thermal spa hotel is the perfect choice for those who want to balance outdoor activities with sauna sessions and swims in mineral-rich thermal waters.
Berghotel Sexten is a 4-star-superior ski-in-ski-out hotel in Moos. From the hotel, you can ski down to the Brugger Drag Lift, which provides a connection to Helmjet. Personal ski lockers are available for all guests. Additionally, guests receive discounts on ski rental equipment at the nearby Sport Point ski shop.
Hotel Alpenblick is a 4-star superior hotel in Moos, next to the Brugger Drag Lift, which connects Moos to the Helmjet ski area. Guests can purchase their ski passes directly at the hotel. They also receive special rates on ski rental equipment at the nearby Sport Point ski shop.
Rotwandwiesen Chalets is a self-catering ski-in ski-out accommodation on the Rotwand meadows, accessible by cableway only. The on-site restaurant is open for breakfast. For dinner, guests can either order take-away meals from the restaurant, or take advantage of the shopping service provided by the accommodation.
Some Sexten hotels offer a private ski shuttle including 3-star Hotel Gruber and 5-star Hotel Monika.
If you’re staying somewhere that isn’t within walking distance of the Helmjet ski lift, you can park free of charge at the valley station car park. At the end of the day, just scan your parking ticket and lift pass at the parking machine to exit without paying. You can also park at the Signaue, which has lift connections to both Stiergarten and Rotwand.
Tip | Before renting ski gear, check with your accommodation to see if they offer a voucher or partner with a ski shop. so you don’t miss out on any available discounts.
Cross-Country Skiing
The 3 Zinnen holiday region (Alta Pusteria) boasts 200 km of cross-country ski trails. In Sexten, most of the routes are concentrated around Waldheim, Moos and Fishleintal/Val Fiscalina.
These accommodations offer ski-in ski-out access to the cross-country ski routes of Waldheim – Mühlenhof – Fischleintal: ROCCA Apartments (budget-friendly), B&B Grüne Laterne (budget-midrange), Ariane’s Guesthouse (boutique apartments), and Hotel Monika -Adults Only (5-star).
Hotel Dolomitenhof, located at Fischleinboden in Fischleintal/Val Fiscalina, is an ideal starting point for cross-country skiing as well.
Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing
Sexten is one of the best, if not the best, place to go winter hiking in the Dolomites. There are numerous prepared winter paths as well as snowshoe routes to explore.
If you stay in a partner accommodation of the Alpinschule Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks Alpine School), you can join their guided snowshoe hikes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for free.
This is an extraordinary offer, because these group excursions are led by certified guides who ensure group safety and provide all necessary equipment (snowshoes, hiking poles, and avalanche safety gear if necessary).
During our stay in Alpenwellnesshotel St. Veit, we joined their snowshoe hike from Kreuzbergpass to Pfandleck. It was well-organized, stress-free, and highly enjoyable.
Partner Accommodations of the Alpinschule Drei Zinnen for the Winter Season:
3-star partner hotels | Hotel Schönblick, Hotel Strobl, Hotel Gruber, Biovita Hotel Alpi, Panorama, Hotel Waldheim
4-star partner hotels | Alpenwellness Hotel St. Veit, Berghotel Sexten, Hotel Alpenblick, Hotel Dolomitenhof
5-star partner hotels | Hotel Monika
Self-catering partner accommodation | Im Wiesengrund Apartments, Rocca Apartments, and Schuischta Mountain Apartments, Reidenhof, and Ariane’s Guesthouse
Learn more: Sexten Winter Hiking Trip
Where to Stay in Sexten in Summer & Autumn
Alta Pusteria (3 Peaks Region) offers 662 km of hiking trails. You could spend weeks in Sexten and still not explore them all. My favorite hikes are Torre dei Scarperi Circuit Hike, Val Fiscalina, Vallon Popera Hike, Gaisl High Trail, Hochalpenkopf Peak Hike, and Monte Specie Summit Hike for sunrise, or sunset.
Finding the best place to stay in summer or autumn depends on how you plan to get around, the type of accommodation you prefer, and the amenities and services that matter most to you.
Hotels that Offer Guided Hiking Excursions
Several Sexten hotels like Alpenwellness Hotel St. Veit and Berghotel Sexten offer guided hiking excursions several times a week with their in-house hiking guides, including Alpenwellness Hotel St. Veit and Berghotel Sexten.
Accommodations such as Hotel Gruber, Im Wiesengrund Apartments, Ariane’s Guesthouse, Hotel Schönblick, Hotel Alpenblick, and Hotel Dolomitenhof partner with the Alpinschule Drei Zinnen during the summer, allowing their guests to join guided group hikes several times a week for free.
Hotel Dolomitenhof is located in Fischleintal (Val Fiscalina) at the Fischleinboden trailhead, truly one of the dreamiest places to stay, thanks to its unobstructed views of the Zwölferkofel (Croda dei Toni). We stayed here one summer a few years ago, and I still cherish the memory of swimming in the panoramic pool and relaxing in the meadow, facing these majestic peaks.
Related | Best Hikes in the Sexten Dolomites
Tip | Many Sexten hotels offer a free rental service of trekking poles and hiking backpacks.
Accommodations near Bus Stops
Sexten and the Alta Pusteria region is very easy to navigate by bus. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the best destinations for car-free travel in the Dolomites.
These accommodations are all situated near bus stops: Hotel Zur Post Sexten (4-star aparthotel in St. Veit/Sexten), Hotel Strobl (3-star hotel in St. Veit/Sexten), Aparthotel Gamz (4-star aparthotel in Waldheim), Hotel Alpenblick (4-star-superior in Moos), Hotel Royal (3-star hotel in Moos), Residence Königswarte (aparthotel in Moos), Paramount Alma Suites Sexten (aparthotel in Moos), Bad Moos Dolomites Spa Resort (4-star hotel in Fischleintal), or Hotel Dolomitenhof (4-star hotel in Fischleintal).
If you’re arriving in San Candido by train, you can take a bus to Sexten. Some hotels like Alpenwellness Hotel St. Veit provide a complimentary pick-up and drop-off service from and to the San Candido Train Station.
Self-Catering Apartments
Villa Rainer offers 10 bright apartments suitable for 2-4 people with either balcony or direct garden access. Guests of Villa Rainer can use the spa of the Family Resort Rainer Sexten at no extra charge.
Up the road from the Sexten Parish Church, Im Wiesengrund Apartments offer modern apartments and breakfast (included in the rate).
Located on the main road just across the Helmjet lift station, the boldly-designed Aparthotel Gamz features 12 apartments, some with infrared saunas. Guests enjoy underground parking and breakfast (included in the rate).
Ariane’s Guesthouse in Waldheim features stylish boutique apartments. A breakfast box can be pre-ordered.
More apartments in Sexten | Residence Königswarte, Paramount Alma Suites Sexten, Gamz Villa, Hotel Zur Post Sexten
Best Spa Hotels in Sexten
4-star Bad Moos Dolomites Spa Resort is located next to the Rotwand lift at the entrance of Val Fiscalina. In winter, guests enjoy ski-to-door access, while in summer the location is perfectly positioned for hikes to the Rotwand meadows and up to Drei Zinnen. Its standout feature is a natural sulphur spring rich in minerals, feeding the resort’s 2500 m² spa and thermal treatments to help relax muscles and support recovery. We stayed here in summer and loved the candle-lit grotto, the location, and the hospitality.
5-star Hotel Monika is an adults-only hotel (ages 14+) in Waldheim with a 2,200 m² wellness spa, comprising multiple saunas, pools, lounges, and relaxation zones. The hotel re-opened in December 2025, after extensive renovations. Breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate.
More Dolomites Travel Guides
Alta Pusteria:
San Candido
Sexten Dolomites:
- Vallon Popera Hike
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop Trail
- Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint
- Torre dei Scarperi Circuit Hike
Braies/Prags Dolomites:
- Lago di Braies
- Hochalpenkopf Peak Hike
- Prato Piazza Plateau
- Monte Specie Summit Hike
- Gaisl High Trail
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